I own a Holland Companion and have attempted for years to figure out a good way to use it. I have tried everything. Leaving it closed the entire cooking time succeeds in baking my food ok, but I really hoped for a Grill, not an oven.It heats ok, eventually, but the design is such that drippings lamely run out into the pan with no flavoring of the food whatsoever.This design is poor to say the least, not to mention way overpriced. Hopefully others will read this and be forwarned. You will NOT get a good grilled flavor or normal cooking results with this product, and be prepared for huge gas usage with sub-par results. AVOID!!!

Dave

Phil, Don't want to offend you but, you just put down a poduct I happen to love. I get great flavor with my companion, cooks great.The instruction book that comes with the companion tells you how to use it. no need to try to figure out a good way. If you don't have that anymore just call the holland pros 1-800-880-9766 and ask for help!

Karl

I've owned a Holland portable Companion grill now for 5 years and absolutely love it. It's just me and my wife at home and we literally cook our dinner on it every night. I even tried to take her out to dinner the other night for her birthday and she insisted we stay home and grill pork chops on the Holland. I would say the Holland grill has a flavor all its own. But you've got to understand what it "is" and what it "isn't" to really appreciate it. I say "hats off to Holland."

clayt

im pretty disapointed in the whole grill its an oven not a grill. no where near they hype im a cooker have trophys and am very good i think its junk

Armstrong

Phil & Clayt,

The grill is advertised as a "CONVECTION OVEN" type grill. All us Holland lovers can't help it if you don't do your research. You are out-voted about 1000 to 1. Sell your Holland to someone who will appreciate it & get a flame-thrower. Nobody can please everybody.

Russell

I almost refuse to eat a steak that's not cooked on a Holland grill! The other brands cause the meat to burn and destroy the taste. Hollands seem to "lock" in the juices and flavor making the steak "melt in your mouth" as they say.

I have converted almost everyone in my family to using Holland grills. They all say it is one the best purchases they have made.

My only problem is that I have used mine so often for so many years (about 12) that the bottom has started to burn through and rust. Regardless, it still cooks a great steak. I will be purchasing a new one in the near future.

I have cooked other things, such as chicken, shrimp, hamburgers, etc., only not quite so often as steak and it has never faled to satisfy me.

As for the problems you seem to be having, I don't think the grill is at fault!

Tom

Russell,Check out the bottom replacement kits for older grills under Parts/Warranty on this web-site. Maybe you can get another 12 years out of it.

Darin

Some people like to play with their food while it cooks.

My mother-in-law is this way. She has a Holland and every couple of minutes she is out turning the meat. She just cant leave it alone.

If you heat your grill up to temp., put the food on and time it. The food comes out delicious every time.

I'm just a novice and if I can get great results on a Holland, anyone can.Just leave the food alone.

big daddy d

I have been a Holland Grill Owner now for over 5 years and I get nothing but rave reviews for my " almost famous Big Daddy D's BBQ Chicken" and I tell everyone that over 50% of the credit goes toward the grill. The best advice I can get someone just getting started with a Holland Grill.... if you're lookin'... you ain't cookin'!!!!!!!! Season your meat, put in on low and slow and don't rush it. Grillin' ain't suppose to be fast.... go to Mickey D's if you want fast food. You only need to turn your meat once and then and only then you can start with your wet sauces if you plan on using one. Hope this helps out...I know that I grill out every Saturday and Sunday for 15-20 neighbors and they keep coming back for more chicken and ribs soooooo me and ny Holland must be doing something right!!!!!! Happy Grilling!!!!!!!!

the demonstrator

Phil,If the Holland doesn't make the best food that comes off of a grill, then how come when I'm demonstrating and other reps are there from other companies, including Weber, I am the only one preparing food while they all stand around with their hands in their pockets. They will not try to compete against our quality.

jarold

Some of my friends lay a few pieces of charcoal on the drip pan and light them up for a charcoal flavor addition to their food.

Terry (Illinois)

Hey Jarold, I 've tried the charcoal in the drip pan also, but had trouble lighting just 2 or 3. How did your friends get them lit?

Fred

I mash up some charcoal, (wrapped in a cloth and hit with a hammer) and then mix that in with the wood pellets. I put a little box in each corner with this mixture and it does give a little charcoal flavor.

dave

PHIL, IF YOU WOULD HAVE RESEARCHED THE COMPANION GRILL BEFORE YOU BOUGHT IT YOU WOULD REALIZE WHAT THE GRILL DOES. I DO 4 OR 5 DEMONSTRATIONS A MONTH ALONG WITH GRILLS LIKE WEBER, TRAEGER, THE EGG, ECT. AND HAVE ALWAYS EXCELLED IN ALL ASPECTS INCLUDING SEARING STEAKS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE SOME POINTERS EMAIL ME AT cycleguy53@yahoo.com. DAVE

DAVE

THE DEMONSTRATOR, I REP FOR HOLLAND GRILLS AND DO DEMOS. PLEASE CONTACT ME AND LETS SWAP IDEAS. DAVE cycleguy53@yahoo.com

DAVE

CLAYT, SOUNDS LIKE ANOTHER PERSON BOUGHT SOMETHING WITHOUT RESEARCH. SWOLLOW YOUR PRIDE AND CONTACT ME AND I WILL PROVE TO YOU THAT THE GRILL WILL DO WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO. EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES! DAVE cycleguy53@yahoo.com

DAVE

THIS IS A SPECIAL NOTE TO THE PEOPLE THAT DOWNGRADE THE HOLLAND GRILL. IF YOU CAN NOT READ AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS, GO BUY A KMART $99 FLASHING BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL AND LEAVE THE HOLLAND GRILLS TO THE PEOPLE WHO APPRECIATE THEM. DAVE.

Jim

I have just bought my third companion. I am still learning to use the grill for differnt meats and I love it. I put the meat on the grill and sit down to have a cool one. No fear of flare up. The companion also makes a great tailgate partner.

camponota

I just put another pork butt on the Holland. I came to the website as I often do while I'm doing a pork butt, to check out what people are talking about.I get great results from The Holland grill.The funniest thing is this, I have a webber genisis, a webber smoker, and the holland on my patio. A guy I know that owns a true value hardware store in town told me recently that he bought a top of the line Traeger and he "can't get it to work" He knows I love my Holland but he's giving me the Traeger for free. It's a $2,500 grill. for free. and he's buying a new Holland. How about that phil. I can get the Traeger to work for me nd I'll use it along side my holland for big smokin events. but I'll use the holland just about every other day.

TerryO

Phil, I'll buy it from you.

Michael

Phil,Virtually all of my cooking friends are envious of my Holland... I can honestly put food on it, play a couple rounds of horseshoes, or bags and come back to perfectly cooked very tasty food!!! It takes a bit of thought in order to "smoke" on a Holland but it to can be done. I do pies, pizzas, ribs, steaks, scrambled eggs,bacon , in short most anything i want! If you can't make the Holland work thats ok, as everyone is not "wired" the same but please don't put down such a fine product! Instead, just give it away and get a different grill. I garrantee you'll make a friend of whom you give it to! Good Luck

MDiBar

Hey, Big Daddy D,

Can you share you recipe for your "Almost Famous Barbecued Chicken"? I am always looking for new recipes for my Holland. Thanks.

Mark

I truly enjoy the design and function of the Holland Grill. I use it for the best roast and steaks I have ever tasted. The no flare up design it a thrill and the meats own juices seal in the becuase the meat dosnt have to keep being poked proded or flipped.

Doug

off topic: I am in the "research' phase and am very cautious about what is being termed a convection grill. having used "flame throwers" for 30 plus years I am willing to try something new. Where can I get a demo in Houston, TX?

@ Doug

Doug,Go to the "Cookout Calendar" link on the left of this page & plug in your zip code. If you do not get anything, call Holland. 800-880-9766